Time to Quack!

Well it is Duck season again. What does all of this mean for the hunter/gatherer in all of us? It is a time to get back to some very simple roots of humanity and to also give nature a little helping hand. Though some do not consider hunting to be a conservation activity that is exactly what it is. If you are a fan of evolution you know that a little hunting pressure will inevitably assure the most competitive of the species will continue to flourish while the less well equipped will be culled from the gene pool. To see more evidence of this conservation look at how the conservation groups spend their money. Ducks Unlimited, The Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, and the like tend to spend about 80% of their income on conservation programs. These are pro sportsman organizations. On the other hand anti hunting groups like PITA, The Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund and their ilk spend roughly 80% of their proceeds on marketing campaigns. So, who is really helping nature and our feathered friends? Sportsmen’s licensing fees will also fund state and federal conservation programs. No such contribution from the Sierra Club. So, enjoy the outdoors. If you can, take a kid hunting or fishing. With great anticipation I am looking forward to the day I can take my daughter “AJ” on her first hunting or fishing outing. If that is not her cup of tea I am sure she would enjoy an autumn day’s walk in the woods with her father. Who would not enjoy that?

Product Review

Okay, back to biking here. I have a couple of product reviews for the “masses” reading TWAATFOG.

Product one is the new HJC Sy-Max helmet. This replaces the Cl-Max that had been around for a little while. Based on the construction this stands to be a large improvement. Sy-Max is a polycarbonate, fiberglass, kevlar blend. The Cl was thermoplastic. This helmet has a USA DOT rating but is not able to get the European Snell rating because the chin bar is not fixed. I have heard from several sources that the helmet would pass Snell testing without the chin bar. It is more of a perception than construction issue. Few if any of these types of helmets get the Snell rating.

How did it perform? Well, there are two sides to every Schwartz... The adjustable chin bar is great for down low visibility when in the up position. Great when asking directions, fueling up or just for occasions that you do not want to remove the helmet when stopped. Manufacturer say not to have open when riding but I have tested it at about 30mph and there is minimal wind drag on the chin bar. The helmet also comes with a small breath box included. In theory you can put he helmet on without removing your glasses which is the reason I purchased the helmet. I am still working on that maneuver.

Down side? The locking mechanism seems to be difficult to close with one hand and there is almost no way to do it without putting you hand(s) on the screen. The helmet is also a little loud on the highway. Earplugs will be needed for anything more than a short jaunt. So, I like the helmet and the price point is right for what I fell like I got ($193.00 at www.Newenough.com or it can be had for about $259.00 at your local MC shop).

Product 2 is the ICON Motorhead boot. This boot has a nice heavy looking sole and Leather Upper construction. This is a really neat comfortable boot. I have flat wide feet and amazingly there were no fit issues. These seem to be a hybrid between a motocross and street boot. I did not want boots with laces so I chose the Motorhead. The latches are clunky and ski-boot looking but seem quite solid.

Down side? I was really disappointed with some of the sewing. I went through two pairs via mail before I got some I could live with. You can see that some pulling occurred when the toe cap was sewn on and there are several little tears in the leather. ICON knows this because the flaws were doctored with what appeared to be a black waxy shoe polish and a sharpie. Also, the soles are glued on and seem to be on a little crooked. This was consistent with all boots received. My mobility was quite limited. I have a DL 1000 and I have ridden with large hiking & hunting boots. The bike, unlike some sport bikes, can tolerate clunky boots for the foot controls. I had to move my shift lever up to be able to get this boot to work on my bike. I looked at a friend’s Kawasaki Concourse shifter and, well, it would never work. SPORTBIKE GUYS SHOULD NOT BUY THIS BOOT. I hope they get a little more limber as I wear them, and I will be wearing them since they can no longer be returned having been worn. ICON does have a one year warranty and at the first sign of falling apart they will be headed back to from where they came.

These boots look good but like most of what I am seeing from China the buck stops there. The value at $139.00 (discounted) is just not there for me. I plan on punishing these boots to see how well they hold up and I will do a follow-up in a few months.